In the lead-up to UFC 296, the spotlight is not only on the highly anticipated clash between Colby Covington and UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards but also on the simmering feud between Covington and middleweight sensation Sean Strickland.
Covington, known for his brash persona, doesn’t hold back as he criticises Strickland’s antics both in and out of the Octagon.
After a 19-month break, Covington is returning to the Octagon with a daring plan to add an undisputed UFC title to his remarkable fight resume.
Meanwhile, Strickland has been making waves in the mma world, achieving one of the biggest upsets in UFC history by defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 during Covington’s absence.
Both fighters are notorious for their outspoken and controversial behaviour, drawing criticism from fans and fellow athletes alike. However, Covington, also known as “Chaos,” believes that Strickland’s attempts to push the envelope fall short. In a recent interview with Code Sports, the welterweight contender didn’t mince words.
“He’s pretending to be everything he wishes I was,” Covington said. “I’d love to slap Sean Strickland around. He’s just a pathetic excuse for a human being; the guy has literally no fricking IQ. The guy’s so f****** stupid. The things he says, he needs to get his mouth wired shut, and I’m the guy to do it. The UFC knows I’m the one who can end these guys who hate the company and the world. So I would love to fight Sean Strickland.”
Colby Covington
As Covington gears up for potential two-division champion status if he emerges victorious against Edwards, Strickland is set to defend his middleweight title against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297. The stakes are high for both fighters, with Edwards also eyeing ‘champ-champ’ status after UFC 296.
If the stars align, the buildup to a Covington vs. Strickland title fight could go down in history as one of the wildest in the sport’s chronicles.
The question now is: will Covington and Strickland’s war of words escalate into a battle for the ages? UFC 296 may just be the beginning of a new chapter in the ongoing saga of these two titans.
